The Independent Music NZ Classic Record award was also announced - an acknowledgement of New Zealand's rich history of making fine albums that continue to inspire us and define who we are. This year's panel chose Upper Hutt Posse for their record E Tu, released in 1988 by Jayrem Records.

Tame Iti presented the award to Dean Hapeta, Matthew Hapeta, DLT, and Teremoana Rapley, congratulating them on E Tu's significance in a political and cultural sense as well as a musical one.